Point Of Sale Research Articles

A Markov network approach for reproducing purchase behaviours observed in convenience stores

The convenience store industry in Japan holds immense significance, making a thorough comprehension of customer purchase behaviour invaluable for companies aiming to gain insights into their customer base. In this paper, we propose a novel application of a Markov network model to simulate purchases guided by stopping probabilities calculated from real data. Each node in the Markov network represents different product categories available for purchase. Additionally, we introduce the concept of a “driving force,” quantifying the influence of purchasing product A on the likelihood of purchasing product B, compared to random purchasing. For instance, our analysis reveals that the inclusion of nutrient bars in a purchase set leads to, on average, a 13% reduction in tobacco purchases compared to random patterns. To validate our approach, we compare the simulated macro-level purchase behaviours with real point of Sale (POS) data obtained from a prominent convenience store giant, 7-Eleven. The dataset is comprised of roughly 54 million receipts, in which we focus on the product categories existing in this dataset rather than individual products. Our model successfully replicates the purchase size distribution for 99.9% of all purchases and the purchase counts across various product categories, demonstrating its efficacy in capturing broad purchase patterns.

SISTEM APLIKASI POIN OF SALE (POS) UNTUK PENJUALAN TOKO NAILA COOKIES BERBASIS JAVA

The Java-based Point of Sale (POS) application system was created to increase operational efficiency and transaction accuracy at Naila Cookies Shop. This system automates sales processes, inventory management, and financial reporting, aiming to speed up the checkout process, minimize errors, and provide real-time sales data. Utilizing Java as the main programming language with an object-oriented approach ensures scalability and ease of maintenance. Additionally, the system has a user-friendly interface to facilitate fast and efficient transactions for store staff. Testing shows important improvements in transaction speed and accuracy, potentially reducing long-term operational costs. These findings show the positive impact of the appropriate use of information technology on retail store operations.

Effect of Electronic Payment System on Marketing Performance of SMEs in Akwa Ibom State, Nigeria

Although the electronic payment system is regulated, in some instances, most SME owners tend to perceive the new system as a threat due to the high rate of cybercrime, network issues, hanging of transactions, and poor description of payer identity, among others. This study examined the effect of the e-payment system on the marketing performance of selected small and medium-scale enterprises in Akwa Ibom State, Nigeria. primary data were gathered through a questionnaire administered to owners/managers of SMEs in Akwa Ibom State. The independent variables were the e-payment system (proxied via bank mobile app, POS and digital mobile app) and the dependent variable was performance (proxied via customer patronage). Data obtained for the study were analyzed with descriptive and inferential statistics. Findings showed that POS, Bank mobile app and Automated Teller Machine (ATM) were mostly used which ranked 1st, 2nd and 3rd respectively. Digital wallets, credit card online transactions and the use of crypto-currency for business were ranked 4th, 5th and 6th respectively. The study revealed that the Bank mobile app, use of point of sales (POS) machine, and Digital wallet app have significant effects on customer patronage of small and medium-scale enterprises. The study concluded that the introduction of the e-payment system (cashless policy) has a significant influence on the operation, performance and customer patronage of small and mediumscale businesses in Akwa Ibom State. It was recommended, among others, that SME operators should be trained on how to use electronic payment systems such as electronic fund transfer, mobile banking, internet banking and online remittance.

Web-Based POS with Apriori Market Basket Analysis

This research project focuses on the design and development of a web-based Point of Sale (POS) application that incorporates advanced analytical techniques, specifically Market Basket Analysis with the Apriori algorithm and the Association Rule method. The primary objective of this web-based POS system is to empower retailers in managing their sales transactions efficiently and gaining valuable insights into customer purchasing behavior. The web-based POS application is multifaceted, offering features such as sales transaction recording, product inventory management, and customer data tracking. What sets it apart is the integration of the Apriori algorithm and Association Rule method, which enable the system to analyze and understand customer purchasing patterns. It identifies strong product associations and establishes rules that support intelligent decision-making for businesses. The advantages of Market Basket Analysis are substantial. Retailers can identify relevant purchase patterns, such as frequently co-purchased products or cross-selling opportunities. This information can be used to enhance marketing strategies, optimize product placement in stores, and create bundled product offerings, ultimately boosting sales and revenue. By analyzing transaction data and recognizing patterns, retailers can streamline their operations, minimize wastage, and allocate resources more effectively. In summary, this research project showcases the transformative potential of integrating Market Basket Analysis, the Apriori algorithm, and the Association Rule method into web-based POS systems. By doing so, retailers can enhance operational efficiency, boost sales, and improve customer satisfaction, ultimately leading to more successful and competitive businesses in the retail sector.

Implementation of Technological Upgradation in Public Distribution System in India for Ensuring Availability, Accessibility and Affordability

The largest initiative to reduce poverty in India is the public distribution system (PDS), which uses a network of fair-pricing shops to supply highly subsidised food grains in order to fulfil necessities of households living below poverty line. PDS's primary objective is to buy food grains from farmers. This is to ensure that grain is distributed, stored, and transported so that people in need have access to food. The Indian government has thus upgraded the PDS's technology in an attempt to increase its transparency. To close this gap between technology and citizen benefits, e-government makes use of technical intermediaries like ration Integrated Weight Management System (IWMS), Management Information System (MIS), Inventory management system, etc. The focus of the government is to enact a number of administrative and technological changes under the centralised online real-time electronic public distribution system in order to empower end users of the PDS supply. In this context this paper deals with the number of difficulties when distribution system switches from manual to automated transactions, dealer of fair price shop, who employs the technologies. Based on secondary literature, the objective of this paper is to understand the challenges associated with implementing technology at the point of sale during distribution, as well as study the status of the implementation technological based distribution system. Int. J. Soc. Sc. Manage. Vol. 11, Issue-(1-2): 1-6.

Factors Associated with the Financial Accessibility of Medicines in Public Health Structures in Conakry, Guinea

The aim of this study is to analyze the factors associated with financial accessibility to medicines in public health structures in Matoto, Guinea, 2022. This was a cross-sectional study, lasting six months. It concerned patients admitted for consultation in one of the public health structures in Matoto, who had received a medical prescription and who presented themselves at the point of sale of the structure where they were consulted. We performed a chi2, Fischer Exact test to compare the proportions with each other. Bivariate logistic regression analysis was performed. A total of 573 patients, predominantly female 63% and single 52%, voluntarily participated in this study. We found that 30% of patients carried out a liberal activity compared to 5.93% who were civil servants. 3.14% of the subjects surveyed came from outside Conakry. We estimated the frequency of financial inaccessibility to medicines at 56.54%. This study revealed that financial accessibility to medicines in public health structures in Matoto (Guinea) is a challenge for 56.54% of patients. The associated factors are: Gender, socio-professional status, origin and age.

Production, postharvest practice, marketing and challenges of smallholder vegetable producers in Tanzania

Beside staple crops, the fruits and vegetables subsector contribute significantly to domestic and export markets. Yet, this subsector faces a number of challenges that limits its full growth potential. Through 383 randomly selected farmers’ interviews in selected districts, the study revealed profound information on the vegetable value chain. Findings show that, there is fair participation of men (58%) and women (42%) in vegetable production. Majority of farmers were between 19 and 49 years old (70%), attained primary education (80%) and had more than 5 years in commercial vegetable production (71.8%). Further, 79.4% of farmers had less than 1 ha of vegetable farmland. Farmers cultivate a wide range of nutritious and commercially valued vegetables including broccoli (50.7%), cauliflower (37.3%), white cabbage (34.7%), crisphead lettuce (24.5%), Chinese cabbage (20.6%), zucchini (20.1%), carrot (18.5%), tomato (14.4%), purple cabbage (10.2%), beetroot (9.4%), African nightshade (8.4%), leaf lettuce (7.6%), green/snap bean (6.8%), snow/sugar-snap pea (5%), leeks (5%), spinach (4.2%), green pepper (4.2%), herbs (parsley, fennel and dill) (4.2%) and celery (2.9%). However, sustainable marketing of fresh vegetables is a challenge leading to most farmers opting to wholesale their produce at the farm gate (70.5%) instead of the marketplace, with the price often being set by the wholesale buyers (78.1%). With the exception of gender, household size, and farming experience; a farmer’s location and primary education level had a slightly statistically significant (p = 0.044) influence on opting to use farmgate as the point of sales. The unpredictable market (100%), costly and low-quality inputs (36.4%), pests and diseases (35.2%), and shortage of cold storage facilities (22.9%) were claimed to hamper vegetable production and the producers. In general, vegetables subsector can grow significantly in Tanzania due to the availability of irrigated nutrient-rich land, favorable climate and productive workforce. Thus, good farming practices, marketing and cold chain facilities have the potential to reduce postharvest losses and help realize national sustainable development goals. Key words: Fresh vegetables, postharvest practices, marketing, constraints, cold chains

Quality improvement of Nd: YAG laser marked DMC and QR codes on the surface of PBT/glass fiber composites by DOE methodology

Laser technology plays an important role in today’s industrial environment. Laser marking is typically used at the end of the production chain to personalize products and make them traceable to the point of sale. One of the challenges of laser marking is the difficulty of creating contrasts whose reflectivity can cause readability problems for electronic decoding devices on production lines, known as scanners. This problem is related to the wrong choice of marking parameters, which results in waste for companies in terms of production stoppages due to rejection, scrap, and customer complaints. Although these problems are common, this process is increasingly used in the industry. Therefore, there is a gap in studies in this field to optimize the marking parameters in many materials, such as PBT (polybutylene terephthalate). The present work was developed in a final assembly line of instrument clusters for motorcycles, where tests were carried out with different types of laser marking parameters, through the implementation of a factorial DoE, with a specific type of laser and material. The laser-marked codes were analyzed in a laboratory using a verifier to assess quality according to ISO/IEC 29158:2020. It was found that the lower the parameter values, the poorer the quality of the codes. The data were statistically processed, and it was possible to identify the marking parameters that ensured the best quality and process performance for DMC and QR codes.

Changes in Compliance With Bans on Tobacco Product Display and Advertising at Traditional and Modern Point-of-Sale Retailers in Depok, Indonesia, 2019-2021.

Banning Point-of-Sale (POS) advertising and product display is an important tobacco control strategy. Depok, Indonesia enacted some regional tobacco control policies regulating the POS environment in 2021. This study examined changes in compliance before and after the implementation of these policies as of 2021. Data collectors visited 180 modern retailers (hyper/supermarkets/convenience stores) and 147 traditional retailers (warungs) in 2019. The same retailers were revisited in 2021. Data collectors assessed compliance with tobacco product display, and advertising regulations at POS, including if products were displayed in spaces to target minors (near candy or at a child's eye level). Data were analyzed using McNemar and Mann-Whitney U tests. From 2019 to 2021, in modern retailers, tobacco product display (95.6% vs. 52.2%) and product advertising (36.1% vs. 3.9%) were significantly reduced (p < .001). In traditional retailers, tobacco product display (94.6% in 2019, 91.2% in 2021, p > .05) and product advertising (87.1% in 2019, 87.8% in 2021, p > .05) remained common during both data collection periods. Tobacco products were commonly displayed in spaces to target minors in both modern retailers (43.3% in 2019, 34.4% in 2021, p > .05) and traditional retailers (90.5% in 2019, 83.0% in 2021, p > .05). Compliance with bans on tobacco product advertising and display at modern retailers improved significantly from 2019 to 2021; however, most modern retailers continue to display tobacco products in 2021. Traditional retailers remain largely noncompliant. Tobacco products are commonly displayed in areas that target minors. The enforcement of regional regulations should be strengthened, particularly among traditional retailers. In Depok, Indonesia, tobacco advertising and product display bans have been implemented; however, more work is needed to support compliance. Enforcement efforts, such as those carried out by civil police, can focus on tobacco product display bans in traditional and modern retailers, and traditional retailers need additional support to remove tobacco product advertising. Retailers may receive money from the tobacco industry for these advertisements. Creative solutions may include supporting retailers in finding alternative advertising revenue.

ANALISA DESIGN UI/UX POINT OF SALES BERBASIS WEB PADA RAJA SAMUDRA POPOK MENGGUNAKAN METODE DESIGN THINKING

Point Of Sale is a system for transactions, which includes the use of a cash register. Within the scope of POS, a cash register does not stand alone but includes supporting software and other devices. The Point of Sales application will help business owners to achieve goals and improve service to consumers. The time needed to serve consumers during sales transactions becomes faster and the information provided becomes more accurate. At Raja Samudra Popok, transactions and recording are still done manually with ledgers, including stock of raw materials which is still recorded using Microsoft Excel, which means the data is not always accurate. This research uses a user-oriented Design Thinking method. This method has 5 process stages, namely Emphatize, Define, Ideate, Prototype, and Testing. After carrying out these 5 stages well, the author then carried out usability testing using the System Usability Scale (SUS) method which resulted in an average score of 85. Based on the results of the SUS score interpretation, this value was included in grade A where the score obtained was already in above the average SUS score in general, which is 68.

Tracing the origins of sea turtle eggs in the markets of Costa Rica

AbstractUnsustainable wildlife trade is a major contributor to biodiversity loss; however, trade regulations have failed to prevent the decline of high‐profile species. Where wildlife is traded legally, opportunities exist to launder protected species through legal channels. The legal commercialization of olive ridley sea turtle eggs from Ostional, Costa Rica, has been criticized with some suggesting that the legal trade stimulates illegal extraction and sale of eggs. We aimed to identify whether the traceability rules, under which the Ostional project operates, were suitably robust. We surveyed markets across Costa Rica, by purchasing openly available sea turtle eggs and recording qualitative and quantitative data at the point of sale. We found that 378 (80%) of turtle eggs openly sold in the market were from olive ridley sea turtles. Green (n = 5) and leatherback (n = 6) turtle eggs were only on offer on three occasions, but no vendor referred to Ostional. Vendors frequently breached trade regulations, which appeared to be due to these regulations misaligning with consumer demand. Although the Ostional traceability rules are regularly flouted, we found no evidence that Ostional is being used as a cover to sell eggs from other turtle species.

Prevalence and antimicrobial resistance of major foodborne pathogens isolated from pangas and tilapia fish sold in retail markets of Dhaka city, Bangladesh

Fish sold at retail markets are often contaminated with harmful bacterial pathogens, posing significant health risks. Despite the growing aquaculture industry in Bangladesh to meet high demand, little attention has been paid to ensuring the safety of fish. The objective of this study was to evaluate the microbiological quality of tilapia and pangas fish sold in retail markets across Dhaka city, Bangladesh. Specifically, the study aimed to compare the quality of fish from traditional wet markets and modern supermarkets, as well as fish samples collected during morning and evening hours. A total of 500 raw cut-fish samples (250 tilapia and 250 pangas) were collected at the point of sale from 32 wet markets and 25 supermarkets. All samples were tested for Escherichia coli, extended-spectrum β-lactamase-producing E. coli (ESBL-Ec), along with the foodborne pathogens Salmonella, Shigella, Vibrio, and Cryptosporidium spp. Bacterial isolates were characterized using antibiotic susceptibility tests (AST) and the presence of common virulence and antibiotic-resistant genes. Fish samples from retail markets had higher prevalence of tested bacteria including E. coli (92 %), V. cholerae (62 %), ESBL-Ec (48 %), and Salmonella spp. (24 %). There was a significant difference in the prevalence of E. coli (97 % vs. 71 %), ESBL-Ec (58 % vs. 8 %) and Salmonella spp. (28 % vs. 8 %) on the wet market samples compared to supermarket samples (p < 0.005). The mean concentration of E. coli on fish from the wet market was 3.0 ± 0.9 log10 CFU/g, while that from supermarkets was 1.6 ± 0.9 log10 CFU/g. The mean concentration of ESBL-Ec in fish from wet markets and supermarkets were 2.3 ± 0.8 log10 CFU/g and 1.6 ± 0.5 log10 CFU/g, respectively. AST revealed that 46 % of E. coli isolates were multi-drug resistant (MDR), while 4 %, 2 % and 5 % of E. coli, Salmonella spp. and Vibrio spp. isolates, respectively, were resistant to carbapenems. At least 3 % of total E. coli isolates were found to be diarrheagenic, while 40 % of Salmonella isolates harbored pathogenic genes (stn, bcfC, ssaQ, avrA and sodC1), and none of the V. cholerae isolates harbored ctxA and tcpA. Our research shows that raw-cut fish samples from retail markets are contaminated with pathogenic and antibiotic-resistant bacteria, which could be a significant food safety concern. Public health interventions should be implemented to improve food safety and hygiene practices in the retail fish markets.

An instrument-free, integrated micro-platform for rapid and multiplexed detection of dairy adulteration in resource-limited environments

In dairy industry, expensive yak's milk, camel's milk, and other specialty dairy products are often adulterated with low-cost cow's milk, goat's milk and so on. Currently, the detection of specialty dairy products typically requires laboratory settings and relies on skilled operators. Therefore, there is an urgent need to develop a multi-detection technology and on-site rapid detection technique to enhance the efficiency and accuracy of the detection of specialty dairy products. In this study, we introduced a fully integrated and portable microfluidic detection platform called Sector Self-Driving Microfluidics (SDM), designed to simultaneously detect eight common species-specific components in milk. SDM integrated nucleic acid extraction, purification, loop-mediated isothermal amplification (LAMP), and lateral flow strip (LFS) detection functions into a closed microfluidic system, enabling contamination-free visual detection. The SDM platform used a constant-temperature heating plate, powered by a mobile battery, eliminated the need for additional power support. The SDM platform achieved nucleic acid enrichment and transfer through magnetic force and liquid flow driven by capillary forces, operating without external pumps. The standalone SDM platform could detect dairy components with as low as 1% content within 1 h. Validation with 35 commercially available samples demonstrated 100% specificity and accuracy compared to the gold standard real-time PCR. The SDM platform provided the dairy industry with an efficient, convenient, and accurate detection tool, enabling rapid on-site testing at production facilities or sales points. This facilitated real-time monitoring of quality issues during the production process, quickly identifying potential risks and preventing substandard products from entering the market.

Sales of tobacco and nicotine replacement therapy products, especially nicotine pouches, increased in Finland during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Aim: Some previous studies suggest that the consumption of tobacco and nicotine products overall declined during the COVID-19 pandemic, but the results are mixed. We investigated tobacco and nicotine product sales in Finland, including the sales of nicotine replacement therapy (NRT). Our particular focus was on nicotine pouches used as NRT. We aimed to evaluate the effect of the COVID-19 pandemic on the sales of tobacco and NRT products in 2020 by comparing the sales to the previous year. Methods: The data were derived from a large sales group (S group) in Finland, representing 46% of the market share in grocery trade in 2020. The gross weekly sales of tobacco (cigarettes, loose tobacco) and NRT (patches, inhalers, tablets, gum and "other", consisting mainly of nicotine pouches) were retrieved from February to December 2020 from 1062 points of sale throughout the country and compared to the same period in 2019. Results: During this period, there was a significant increase in cigarette sales. Moreover, the sales of NRT were significantly higher throughout 2020 compared with 2019. Specifically, the sales of nicotine pouches sold as NRT increased, especially after the travel restrictions in Finland were initiated and the national boundaries closed in the spring of 2020. Conclusions: During the COVID-19 pandemic in Finland, the sales of cigarettes and NRT products increased, especially those of nicotine pouches sold as NRT. Our findings call for further research to reveal the factors leading to this increase and to determine whether the situation is long-standing.

General evaluation of the distribution and commercialization cycle of bananas at the main fairs in Boa Vista - RR

In Roraima, banana cultivation is a significant socio-economic activity aimed at catering to both the domestic and regional markets. The banana-producing region (Musa spp) is concentrated in the southern part of the state, encompassing the municipalities of Caroebe, São João da Baliza, and Rorainópolis. Thus, the objective was to assess fruit damage and investigate severity and causes. The cultivars selected for the study were ‘Pacovan’, ‘Prata’, and ‘Missouri’. Five markets were visited for the study, with eleven points of sale sampled at each market. At each sampling point, newly arrived batche (bunches) was collected at three distinct times. The variable studied was the incidence of fruit damage at different ripening stages (type 2 and type 7). Data collected visually were subjected to Likert analysis and descriptive statistics. The results showed that mature bananas exposed directly on tarpaulin exhibited severe mechanical damage, such as abrasions and cuts due to direct contact with the rough surface of the tarpaulin and stacking during transport. Mature fruits transported in cardboard boxes had a lower incidence of damage and also served as a display for marketing. Mature green fruits were also affected during transport, with greater impact when in plastic bags or plastic boxes due to irregular and pointed surfaces. In the case of green-mature fruit, the damage incurred was less severe compared to mature fruit.

Digital Financial Services (DFS) And Productivity of Indian Banking Sector - Empirical Evidence Using Malmquist Productivity Index and Panel Data Regression

Purpose: The aim of this study is to examine the impact of Digital Financial Services (DFS) on the productivity of banking sector in India. Theoretical framework: This research considered various digital banking services offered by bank and how it affects the actual bank performance in terms of productivity, by adopting a two-stage model i.e., Malmquist Productivity Index (MPI) and panel data regression. Design/Methodology/Approach: The empirical study was based on eight-year balanced panel data from 2012 to 2020. The sample of the study consists of forty-four commercial banks from India. This study is completely based on secondary data collected from the website of the database of the Indian economy and the National Payment Corporation of India (NPCI). To achieve the research goals, a two-stage approach has been used. Initially, Malmquist Productivity Index (MPI) was employed to estimate the total factor productivity changes. In the second phase, panel regression analyses were used to study the impact of Digital Financial Services (DFS) on bank productivity. Findings: The findings show that the Digital Financial Services (DFS) variables such as mobile banking, online banking, Automatic Teller Machines (ATM) and Point of Sale (POS) transactions are significantly improved the productivity of the Indian banking industry. Research, Practical &amp; Social implications: The study addresses the issues such as identifications of factors affecting the productivity of banks including Digital Financial Services (DFS). In the world of digital revolution, it analyses whether bank can retain, continue and enhance their performance by offering modern product and services to their customers. Originality/Value: This article has conducted extensive analyses of Digital Financial Services (DFS) and banks' productivity. The authors also provide suggestions for the policymakers for the future implementation of digital banking services.

Impacts of Behavioral, Organizational, and Spatial Factors on the Carbon Footprint of Traditional Retail and E-commerce in the Paris Region.

Carbon footprint assessment of retail is necessary to optimize procurement strategies and adopt sustainable shopping habits. However, estimating carbon footprints is a complex task, given the diversity of existing distribution channels. Average values for carbon emissions of "conventional" retail (i.e., purchasing and receiving the product directly at the physical point of sale) found in most studies mask a heterogeneous reality: different retail strategies entail diverse shopping behavior for consumers, as well as varied procurement processes for outlets. In this paper, we propose a methodology to assess greenhouse gas (GHG) impacts of different distribution systems related to the consumption of goods in the Paris Region by coupling traditional transport modeling with a life-cycle assessment (LCA) approach. We model and compare six distribution systems, including five traditional retail formats (hypermarkets, supermarkets, small generalist retail, small food retail, and small nonfood retail) and E-commerce home deliveries. Our model includes warehouse activity, shop and home delivery, shop energy consumption, consumer mobility, and goods packaging. Overall, we conclude that E-commerce emits fewer GHG emissions than retail outlets per kilogram of product purchased. This result is in line with the existing literature on the topic. However, the carbon footprint varies greatly within the case study depending on the characteristics of the logistics procurement processes of outlets, the behavior of shoppers, and spatial characteristics.

Detection of Extended Spectrum ß-Lactamase-Producing Escherichia coli with Biofilm Formation from Chicken Meat in Istanbul.

Antimicrobial resistance is one of the major public health problems worldwide. This study aimed to detect the presence of extended-spectrum β-lactamase-(ESBL-)producing Escherichia (E.) coli in chicken meat in Istanbul, Türkiye. Raw chicken meat samples (n = 208) were collected from different sale points and analyzed for ESBL-producing E. coli. In total, 101 (48.5%) isolates were confirmed as E. coli by PCR, of which 80/101 (79.2%) demonstrated multiple antibiotic resistance. Resistance against amoxicillin-clavulanic acid was most frequent (87.1%). Eighteen isolates (17.8%) demonstrated phenotypical ESBL resistance, as assessed by the double disc synergy test (DDST). Isolates were tested for the presence of β-lactamase genes and mobilized colistin-resistant genes. The blaTEM group was most frequently detected (97.02%), followed by blaCTX m (45.5%), blaSHV (9.9%), and blaOXA-2 (0.9%). However, mcr genes and blaNDM,blaKPC, blaVIM, and blaOXA-48 genes were not found in any isolate. E. coli strains were tested for biofilm formation in six different media [Nutrient broth, LB broth, Tryptone Soya broth (TSB), TSB containing 1% sucrose, TSB containing 0.6% yeast extract, and BHI]. Biofilm formation by E. coli isolates (44/101, 43.5%) was highest in TSB with 1% sucrose. It is worth noting that all biofilm-producing isolates were found to harbor the blaTEM-1 gene, which can indicate a high level of antibiotic resistance. This is the first report about ESBL-producing E. coli in poultry meat, the exposure of consumers in Istanbul metropolitan areas, and the ability of E. coli from this region to produce biofilms.

Empowering MSME Employees: Quality of Work Life and Organizational Support

This quantitative study investigates the association between quality of life at work (QWL), perceived organizational support (POS), and employee performance in Kota Magelang's micro, little, and medium-sized firm (MSME) sector. Through a questionnaire issued to 210 MSME employees, with a 100% response rate, the research explores the impact of QWL on both employee performance and POS, as well as the mediating role of POS in the relationship between QWL and employee performance. The findings show a good relationship between QWL and staff performance, as well as a positive influence of QWL on the point of sale. Furthermore, the study emphasizes the mediating role of POS in the relationship between QWL and employee performance. These findings highlight the necessity of improving QWL and POS within MSMEs to support increased employee performance, hence contributing to the economic development of Magelang's City MSME sector.

Financial technology and economic growth nexus in the East African community states

PurposeThis paper aims to examine the causation linking financial technology to economic growth in the East African Community states from 1997 to 2019.Design/methodology/approachAutoregressive distributed lag is used. Gross domestic product per capita proxies economic growth, automated teller machines, point of sale, debit card ownership and mobile banking measure financial technology.FindingsThe results unveil a significant relationship between financial technology and economic growth. The findings show bidirectional causality between automated teller machine and economic growth, with unidirectional causation from economic growth to point of sales and internet banking, mobile banking and government effectiveness to economic growth. The error correction term is negatively significant, demonstrating a long-term convergence between Fintech measures and economic growth.Research limitations/implicationsThe governments should effectively enact and implement policies that protect investments in financial technologies to boost economic growth in the East African Community countries. The government should reduce taxes on financial technology equipment and related services. The use of automated teller machine, debit card ownership and internet banking should be encouraged through cashless transactions. Financial institutions should adopt cashless operation policies to encourage the use of financial technologies.Originality/valueResearch results on the bond between financial technology and economic growth are not conclusive. These studies demonstrate that technological innovations are double edged-swords, with both positive and negative sides. The results are conflicting; some reveal positive relationships, while others show negative links. Hence, research is required to fill the lacuna.